No shoes. No socks. No jacket. It's a cold, windy winter night in New York City and thousands of homeless people sit on streets corners hugging themselves for warmth. This is the image we think of when we think of the homeless. While this is one possible situation for a homeless individual, there are so many other groups that face homelessness that many people aren't generally aware of.  Families, youth, and veterans all face homelessness. On any given night, 564,708 people are homeless, which includes individuals, families and veterans ("Snapshot"). With a large homeless population there needs to be plans implemented to support them. The "housing first" model has been developed to focus on giving homeless individuals a home and resources to help them adjust to a new lifestyle (Brown). Murray Burr of Reno, Nevada, also known as "Million Dollar Murray", was a homeless man, who accumulated nearly a million dollars in emergency room, jail, ambulance, and shelter costs (Snyder). While all this money was spent to help protect him, he passed away homeless on the streets. By providing a stable environment, a home, individuals will be more successful in multiple aspects of their life, such as their physical and mental health, relationships, work situation, and overall income. In turn, these individuals will be able to give back to our society in a positive way. 

For many years, homelessness was viewed as an irreversible issue. Most believed there would never be a way to end homelessness. In 1992, Dr. Sam Tsemberis founded an organization called Pathways to Housing and developed the housing first model. This opportunity was made possible to him when he received a grant from New York State Office of Mental Health (Fitzpatrick). Pathways to Housing, at the time, focused on the chronically homeless who were mentally ill or suffer from substance abuse (Fitzpatrick). The program took the approach of taking these individuals off the streets and placing them in private apartments and further providing them with a variety of services (Fitzpatrick). The housing first model has since expanded to larger cities like Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Fort Lauderdale. With such large cities participating in the housing first model it creates opportunities for a majority of the homeless population. For smaller cities and communities with less funding, the homeless have less opportunity to participate in housing first because it costs a lot of money to run. Housing first faces the problem that many individuals aren't willing to give up money to people who are homeless. Misconceptions are created that these individuals are choosing a homeless lifestyle. The goal of Pathways to Housing aims to help those who can't help themselves. By giving them an opportunity to be supported along with learning how to support themselves they will benefit our nation. Homeless individuals are capable of making an income when provided life's necessities, a home and help. In order to continue the legacy of the program there needs to be a federal regulation to ensure that every homeless individual has the chance to be successful. 

Homelessness awareness has grown tremendously within the past ten years because the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has made a commitment to "fair housing." (Tegeler). Fair housing means that all racial groups will be provided the same resources, houses will be built according to need, and increasing the assistance rate for placing school-aged children in above average school communities (Tegeler). In the United States, discrimination is a problem. Through enacting the fair housing policy, all races can expect the same treatment and services in order for them to succeed in a positive situation. Fair housing will ensure that it homes are afforded to everyone from a federal level, no matter what the condition. If policies are created on federal levels there is a better chance of regulating the practices throughout the states and eliminate the issue of homelessness completely. Several policies are currently in action to help with this issue. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act provides federal funding to states to support district programs that serve homeless students. The act guarantees education for the homeless youth despite proper documentation ("Washington State Requirements"). However this policy is only supporting a percentage of the homeless population. There needs to be funding to all groups, not just the youth. To prevent any social group from being further ignored, funding needs to be spread amongst different programs. Funding to the entire homeless population will provide homes and resources necessary to end homelessness.

The housing first program has shown a great amount of success and creates more opportunities for homeless individuals than other resources. In a study, a sample of 91 individuals from the housing first program and a sample of normal care homeless individuals, were analyzed to determine their success in residential status and hospitalization (Brown). Between the two groups, the housing first sample had 91% housing rate; most didn't return to life on the streets. Meanwhile in the normal care sample, nearly 64.8% returned to shelters and homelessness and 24.2% were a part of independent or supportive housing (Brown). These results provide strong evidence of the effectiveness of housing first and the goal of getting individuals into a home and having them stay there. In regards to hospitalization, results showed that the housing first sample spent significant less time in health care facilities after being placed in a home versus the normal care group (Brown). The hospitalization and psychiatric care that housing first provides along with a home allows individuals more chance of success in living an independent life. This evidence further proves the effective nature of housing first and how it is necessary to continue endorsing it through non-profits to the federal government. 

Homelessness faces many stereotypes. The idea that homeless individuals are lazy, incompetent, and worthless appears because many people do not understand these individuals' circumstances. Housing first faces the opposition that money shouldn't being spent on providing a home for homeless individuals because they can't be trusted. Many believe the individuals given a home will use it to continue addictions and never find a source of income after being chronically homeless. Despite concrete evidence and research, citizens feel like the cause isn't worth of spending at a federal level. Research done by Dennis Culhane, studies the housing first model and its foundations in two cities, New York City and Philadelphia (Law). The homeless populations within these two cities consume a majority of the resources available to shelters which leads to the problem that the services focus on a narrow group (Law). The Housing and Urban Development department within the U.S. has a shrinking budget in the recent years when dealing with permanent housing which means more individuals in temporary shelters, consuming resources and money (Law). By creating a larger budget for permanent housing within the housing first model, it will create more opportunity for success in ending homelessness. 

As hundreds of non-profit organizations throughout the states take on the housing first model and ten-year plans, many see the optimism in the goal to end homelessness. Yet there are many issues with the effectiveness of the housing first model and other methods to end homelessness. Every year the prices for affordable homes increase. This in turn makes it difficult to continue to provide homes for the homeless. While the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) presses to expand their services, they are unable to do much with the budget that Congress has allocated to them (Cohen). This further shows the need to take on the task of ending homelessness at more of a federal level due to the ability to acquire larger funds. A national policy will ensure a yearly budget and account for all the necessary resources to support the solution for homelessness. 

Another issue that is rooted within the Pathways to Housing, housing first model, is the deep roots for the traditional methods of "solving" homelessness. Many Americans see the solution for homelessness in treating them as a patient before rewarding them with a home. A study conducted by several researchers examined the perspectives of the housing first and traditional programs. The housing first method was defined as individuals being placed in homes and being provided with resources regardless of mental illness or substance abuse (Henwood). The traditional method was defined as treatment before the reward of a home (Henwood). Each of these housing first methods was considered and a study was created for the providers, the people helping the homeless. The providers were given a questionnaire to determine the values and approaches of treatment for the homeless. Statistical data found, based on the results, showed that providers within the housing first program were more values based than the traditional program (Henwood). Through this data it shows that the treatment within the housing first program is more suitable for individual values. By focusing everyone to the housing first method, more values will be instilled in the individuals going through the process. 

The housing first model focuses mainly on providing a home and rehabilitation resources in order to help those who have faced chronic homelessness. To maintain the goal of providing this to the homeless, providers need to ensure the health of their patients. The medical services within the housing first programs aren't meeting the requirements of what many individuals need to be in good health. In a study, researchers analyzed the death rates among the population involved in housing first versus the general homeless population and compared them ("Examining Mortality"). Results showed that the homeless population associated with the housing first programs was more likely to face mortality at an earlier age in comparison with the general homeless population ("Examining Mortality"). The health risks related to homelessness range anywhere from cancer to infections that grow into bigger problems. The issue of higher mortality rates among the housing first program was generally found to occur during the initial point of adjustment to the home ("Examining Mortality"). This shows that there wasn't enough support from health care services and other treatments that could prevent many of these deaths had there been more interaction. To maintain serious consideration for funding, the housing first program needs to ensure proper medical care of the patients or it will no longer be appealing to individuals. In order to decrease the rate of mortality within the housing first program population, there should be more interaction between health care services and homeless individuals facing this life-changing transition. By providing these services there will be a better chance of success in ending homelessness. 

Why should we end homelessness? This question floats around because many individuals believe that there has to be people at the bottom in order to maintain a balanced society.  Giving them resources to succeed will only help them to benefit society as a whole. Everyone deserves the opportunity to have success. Thousands of children are left homeless and not afforded opportunities, like education, that would provide them with knowledge to further their path to success. Housing should be viewed as a necessity rather than a "want". People are put into situations that perpetuate issues that can eventually lead to homelessness. Providing a home not only reassures society's faith in them as individuals, but also saves taxpayers money every year. A study in Denver showed that an average of $15,733 per year per homeless person was saved by eliminating shelter, criminal justice, health care, and treatment costs through the housing first model (Snyder). This money is enough to offset the money of housing and still have money left over (Snyder). Money is everyone's problem. The United States is in trillions of dollars of debt yet the housing first model isn't being endorsed federally while it saves money and betters the citizens of the nation. Providing opportunities to the homeless population will only create benefits rather than struggles.

In today's society discrimination is prevalent. On the news there are stories of racial discrimination, gender discrimination, and sexual orientation discrimination within the general population. Often times we don't focus on the consequences and results of the discrimination. Homeless individuals face a wide array of discrimination on a daily basis but it isn't heavily publicized. Researchers in Canada conducted a study that looked at the rates of discrimination among a group of 231 ethnoracially diverse individuals (Zerger). The results showed that the most prevalent form of discrimination was associated with homelessness and poverty, followed by race and mental illness (Zerger). While racial discrimination is prevalent and publicized, many don't look at the homeless and impoverished and think of the discrimination toward them. If homeless people were given the same respect as many other individuals, they would gain a feeling of empowerment. The discrimination that homeless individuals face can break down the progress that should be made through programs like Pathways to Housing. While fighting to end homelessness is the overall goal, it is important to focus on the root of where the problem arises; discrimination. By acknowledging individuals differences the housing first program can accommodate to all individual's needs.

Fortunately, Columbia, South Carolina does provide a housing first program. The University of South Carolina School of Medicine (USCSM) partners with the Columbia Housing Authority to lease apartments to the homeless individuals and families in the local area ("USCSM Supportive Housing"). The program is continually growing as it reaches out to other organizations like Families First, which will create more supportive services for the homeless community within Columbia. Through the endorsement of the university, there is more awareness of the issue of homelessness along with having funding to support the many services required by the housing first program. The USCSM provides services like life skills, budgeting, mental health counseling, and many more to help target a broad range of groups that fall into a variety of situations ("USCSM Supportive Housing"). More universities should sponsor programs like housing first to show the community the importance of the issue at hand and allow college age students to realize the reality of what many people go through. Awareness and involvement of homelessness helps to destroy the stereotypes that homeless people are lazy and incompetent. 

As several programs and the United States government continue to work to help the homeless population there is still questions. Many are unsure of how the homeless will be able to give back to the community after receiving several benefits. Housing first services provide necessary treatment for mental illness and substance abuse. As a result, taxpayers will save money as these individuals will take fewer trips to the emergency room without insurance. While in better health, they will be able to locate places of employment, whether it is a small restaurant or low level job in corporation. Finding employment will motivate them to work hard and give them the initiative to earn money. Any source of income will benefit society as they will begin to pay taxes. Many individuals who have experienced homelessness are more willing to share their stories and serve as mentors for those who are struggling with similar situations. Receiving home shows trust and gives homeless individuals the confidence to make a difference in our society as we have entrusted them with a place to live. In every service provided, a majority of homeless individuals will succeed in creating a life that benefits society, which in turn benefits those within it. 

A home, heating and cooling, shoes, and confidence. These are what homeless individuals gain when they join a program like housing first. As 564,708 individuals can be homeless on any night, society should fight to make sure no one is homeless ("Snapshots of Homelessness"). Through local, state, and federal government programs along with non-profit organizations there is plenty of opportunity to end the tragedies of homelessness. As homeless individuals receive homes and supportive services, everyone saves money while also benefitting the lives of those who aren't as fortunate. Health care services is also a key part of ensuring that homeless individuals adjust properly into their new environment and live healthy lives, unlike what they may have experienced prior. The opportunities afforded to the homeless individuals will create a healthier and safer society along with saving the lives of many. Housing first needs continued support in order to thrive and provide to the homeless population until the end of homelessness. 

